Stronger shield sought for minors in police probes

ملخص مفصل

China has proposed stronger safeguards for minors, particularly girls, during police investigations of administrative cases, with draft rules specifying who should conduct…

China has proposed stronger safeguards for minors, particularly girls, during police investigations of administrative cases, with draft rules specifying who should conduct interviews and how questioning should be recorded to better protect young victims and witnesses.

The Ministry of Public Security released a draft revision to the Procedures for Handling Administrative Cases by Public Security Organs on Oct 30, soliciting public comments through Nov 28. The proposed changes aim to align police procedures with revised laws and strengthen protections for people involved in administrative cases.

Under the draft, a female staff member must be present when police question an underage female suspect, victim or witness. In administrative cases involving sexual assault or violence against minors, interviews with underage female victims or witnesses must be conducted by female police officers.

Ji Ying, an associate professor at the School of Law at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the distinction is significant. While a female staff member can provide reassurance and support, a female police officer conducting the interview is responsible for professional questioning and evidence collection.

Girls recounting sensitive experiences may have particular concerns about privacy, dignity and psychological harm, Ji said. Creating an environment in which they feel safe and trust the interviewer can help ease anxiety and enable them to describe events more fully and accurately, benefiting both their well-being and the investigation.

The draft also requires police to make audio and video recordings when questioning minors who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sexual assault or violence, and to complete interviews in a single session wherever possible.

Ji said the measures are intended to minimize secondary trauma. Children who have experienced or witnessed abuse may be particularly vulnerable to distress because their emotional regulation…

Alt…

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من China Daily Business. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.